EAGAN, Minn. — Another week, another designation for Danielle Hunter.
The NFC Player of the Week for his dominating performance (3.5 sacks, a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown) against Detroit in Week 9 has been tabbed as the Vikings nominee for the 2018 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, the team and NFL announced Wednesday.
Hunter, a third-round pick in 2015, has maintained his humble nature as his success has increased.
Sportsmanship has run through Hunter's veins before they became so pronounced, dating back to youth league games when he helped opponents return to their feet after tackling them.
When Hunter was shown on the video board at U.S. Bank Stadium in the waning moments of Minnesota's 24-9 win over Detroit, teammates motioned for the crowd to give him a loud ovation, but Hunter encouraged teammates to stop their promotion.
Each of the 32 teams has nominated a player for the award, which recognizes "players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field" through "fair play, respect for the game and opponents and integrity in competition."
The award was created in 2014 in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, Sr.
The finalists will be evaluated by NFL Legends Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler. The panel will select four finalists from AFC teams and four finalists from NFC teams who will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot that players will use to cast votes on Dec. 14.
The winner of the fifth-annual NFL Sportsmanship Award will be determined by votes of current NFL players. From the eight finalists, each team's players will submit a consensus vote of their choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.
The player selected will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Feb. 2, on the eve of Super Bowl LIII. The winner will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice and be presented with a trophy.
2018 Nominees
NFC North
Bears: Cody Whitehair
Lions: Don Muhlbach
Packers: Tramon Williams
Vikings: Danielle Hunter
NFC East
Cowboys: Dak Prescott
Eagles: Carson Wentz
Giants: Rhett Ellison
Redskins: Vernon Davis
NFC South
Buccaneers: Lavonte David
Falcons: Alex Mack
Panthers: Julius Peppers
Saints: Drew Brees
NFC West
Cardinals: Corey Peters
49ers: Joe Staley
Seahawks: Tyler Lockett
Rams:
AFC North
Bengals: A.J. Green
Browns: Joel Bitonio
Ravens: Eric Weddle
Steelers: David DeCastro
AFC East
Bills: Kyle Williams
Dolphins: Frank Gore
Jets: Steve McLendon
Patriots: Matthew Slater
AFC South
Colts: Andrew Luck
Jaguars: Calais Campbell
Texans: Johnathan Joseph
Titans: Marcus Mariota
AFC West
Broncos: Domata Peko
Chargers: Antonio Gates
Chiefs: Sammy Watkins
Raiders: Derek Carr
Past winners
2017—Luke Kuechly, Panthers
2016—Frank Gore, Colts
2015—Charles Woodson, Raiders
2014—Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
